Mount Zion is a community of Christians set high in the mountains to the East of Tainan. It was founded as the New Testament Church of God during the time of martial law in Taiwan. The early community sought a place to live and claimed this area in the mountains for themselves. Disavowing any connection with or dependence on the state, they found themselves at odds with the KMT government under Chiang Kai Shek and his son. They suffered much persecution and now have extensive displays of pictures showing this, including an unrepaired bus in which the passengers were beaten by police. The community revels in its own glory and idolises its leader. There are very few references to Jesus around the place but many to their leader who is referred to as a reincarnation of the Prophet Elijah. They are also very proud of the way they have been rebuilding the Garden of Eden in this remote part of Taiwan. There is much about the community itself but little evidence that the community contributes in any way to the work of Christ in the wider world. I found it an interesting and even inspiring example of community but a depressing model of the church which ought to be in action. It may be a good example of a church holding itself together but the Christian vision is lacking so it has become a self-seeking, inward-looking enterprise - dare I suggest - like many other churches today?

Although most people in Taiwan know little about Christianity there are plenty of lights around the place for Christmas. The traditional mid-winter festival here when families come together is the Chinese New Year. Only a few churches give evidence of the true meaning of Christmas. Santa with his sleigh and reindeer and Christmas trees with their lights are well known but nativity scenes are rare. You can't even find "religious" cards in the Presbyterian bookshop where images of a Victorian Anglo-Saxon Jesus abound. All in all the church has a wonderful opportunty here to explain itself and to proclaim the Gospel - but it's a very different challenge to that which it faces in the West.

Dig deeper into this part of the site and you'll find some of the natural beauty of country that was called "Formosa" by the Portugese - meaning a place of beauty.